Bears split with LCHS

Published 1:00 pm Friday, November 8, 2013

MONTICELLO – West Lincoln and Lawrence County split a varsity basketball double-header in opening-night high school hoops action Thursday night at LCHS.

In girls’ play, Vicki Rutland’s Lady Cougars rallied in the waning moments to snatch a 42-40 win from the Lady Bears. In boys’ action, Lane Young’s Bears dominated the Cougars 55-35 in a game that was more lop-sided than the final score indicates.

In the girls’ game, West Lincoln led for most of the way, but Lawrence County, powered by Dakendra Collins’ 27 points, kept it close. LCHS freshman Haven Johnson scored only three points in the game, but they were the final ones of the game. After hitting one of two free throws to knot the game at 40-40, Johnson scored on a driving lay-up to give the Lady Cougars the lead and the win.

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“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Rutland, who has guided the Lawrence County girls to the 4A South State tournament five years in a row. “We really struggled at times but give West Lincoln credit for that. They really executed and shot better than we did, but we’re awfully proud to get the win.”

Brianna Errington added seven points for LCHS. Bentley Sill led West Lincoln with 11 points. Layton Sills and Destiny Allen tallied nine points each.

The boys’ game had no late-game drama. It was largely decided in the first quarter, and totally out of hand by halftime. Lane Young’s Bears have run roughshod over south Mississippi 1A opposition the last couple of years, and the Bears appear capable of equally tough to beat in the 2A ranks. West Lincoln led 36-12 at halftime.

Four Bears scored in double figures, led by Ke-Shaun London’s 13 points. London also had a game-high 8 rebounds. Duane Marshall added 12 points. Ronnie Edwards had 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Sam Bivens, the Bears’ 6’7″ senior center, had 10 points, five rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots.

“We played pretty good in spurts,” said Coach Young. “It got a little sloppy in the second half, but it was a pretty good night for us.”

Lawrence County freshman Keyshawn Feazell led Pat Bridges’ Cougars with nine9 points. ShaCorey Pittman added seven, and Keith Davis scored six.

In girls’ junior varsity action, Lawrence County edged West Lincoln 20-16. Tiara Maye had seven points.

West Lincoln will host Wesson on Tuesday night. Lawrence County will play at Prentiss Saturday evening.